Hello all,The time has come to exorcise the demons after my failed Mt Whitney summit attempt in October 2015.

It's all very well for people to say the mountain will still be there in a month or a year or whatever, but it's a long way from Sydney to Lone Pine and not a trip you just decide to do next weekend.

And so I find myself here at the Whitney Portal Hostel, planning my 'assault' on the mountain over the next 2 days. I will be doing whatever it takes to make the summit this time,within reason of course.

I look forward to meeting fellow hikers on the MWT on Sunday and Monday, FINALLY!!

I also didn't make it last year because of altitude sickness just before Trail Crest. I also failed in 2015 but because of a blizzard that struck in October. Next week I'm making another attempt from the West while spending a few days in the wilderness to acclimate. I wish you the best of success on your adventure.

I was foiled on MWT in October 2015 by a huge snowstorm which left me socked in at Trail Camp for over 2 days. On that occasion no concerns with altitude but I had spent 5 days in Yosemite prior to my MWT hike.

Today I secumbed to altitude sickness after charging up to Trail Camp again, straight from Lone Pine and decided to come back to town as I felt bloody terrible, even tried to sit it out at Outpost Camp for a while but no relief. Unfortunately the 6000 mile commute from Sydney together with a tight schedule does not allow time to acclimate.

Right now I'm in Lone Pine thinking about giving it another shake tomorrow but I'm torn.

Go for it tomorrow!!! Today's experience gave you a bit of acclimatization.

Not sure how early you plan to go, but if you have more time this evening, hanging out at Whitney Portal is far better than sitting down in Lone Pine. Every bit helps!!

If you come back another year, drive up to Horseshoe Meadows. Spend an overnight if at all possible up there. Do a short hike up there, too. Trail Peak makes an afternoon easy hike. The altitude at HM is about the same as Outpost Camp, and it accelerates your acclimatization. It's a 45 minute drive from Lone Pine.

I also didn't make it last year because of altitude sickness just before Trail Crest. I also failed in 2015 but because of a blizzard that struck in October. Next week I'm making another attempt from the West while spending a few days in the wilderness to acclimate. I wish you the best of success on your adventure.

Hi Ed, Seems we've both had some bad luck. In 2015 I'm sure I'd have made the summit but for that snowstorm.I've decided to give it another shot today despite the message I'm getting from my shaky 60yo joints. As the saying goes, 'go hard or go home' . I'll be tracking a stripped down pack and making for Trail Camp again for an overnight before a summit attempt on Tuesday.

That Oct. blizzard was the first one of the year. Although we didn't get to make the hike up in 2015, we still had a great time at the lower elevations. I have never had a bad camping trip - and that's the truth.

I'm leaving out tomorrow morning for the 8 hr drive to the Cottonwood Lake TH for my solo hike. Weather looks good. My joints are 70 years old. I may not have too many more chances at that mountain but I know I'll have lots of fun in my attempts.

Happy to report that at 06:30 on Tuesday August 8th I was able to put my demons to rest after achieving the summit.

On Monday I hiked to the cables before descending to Trailcamp to overnight. At 2:45 Monday I headed for the summit only to secumb to the dreaded altitude sickness again at around 14000 feet, however I was not going to be denied and pushed through to sign the register at the hut. I have to say that I found the last section above the John Muir Trail the most gruelling. As sick as it sounds, I actually enjoyed doing the switchbacks!

Luckily the weather was clear and the moon was full.

I am now back down under thinking that I owe it to myself do do some travelling in my own backyard before seeing more of your wonderful National Parks.

I acknowledge all of the contributors to this forum for the advice and encouragement offered over the course of my travels to that great part of the world. This has been my go to place for info during the planning of my trips to the Sierra Nevada.

And just for the record after doing the math,Total distance hiked over 2.5 days 34 miles, elevation gained and lost, something over 20,000. Not too bad for an old guy who spends most of his time livin 100 feet amsl!